Salt Lake City: Official Development News Thread - Part 3 - Page 136

DerrickSLC · #**2701** Posted **Mar 7, 2013, 3:25 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Comrade Reynolds

It's the only thing Cowboy knows how to build. Here is the list from Cowboy:

Liberty Metro: Aesthetically appealing: color, contrast, mixed material. I haven't heard how the interior is, or how well it was built.

Liberty Midtown: Renderings aesthetically appealing: color, contrast, mixed materials. The built building maintained it's shaped but lost the three mentioned. As a first resident, not having the building enclosed meant no carpet on the walkways resulting in no sound absorption. Also, there was no amount of sound barrier in the place, floors or walls. Granted it was "income-based", not sure if was restricted, but it shouldn't be an excuse. That building maybe has a 20 year life.

Liberty Citywalk: What initially had been proposed as a luxury tower, the economic crisis happened and Cowboy stepped in. I applauded having an enclosed building. It does have a slightly "better" appealing exterior than Midtown but the choices still seem off for an urban environment. For the interior and building construction, one can only hope it's better than Midtown.

Liberty Gateway: It looks like a larger Midtown, thankfully enclosed but lacking any character or design.

Don't fall for the excuse "it's better than nothing". Well for all intents and purposes, yes, we need and want housing downtown but we also deserve quality housing. We need buildings that are built to last. Not what is continually being built. The design and construction of these developments are cheap, and we should recognize it. And we do, even when it hasn't been built yet but have seen it through a rendering. That doesn't bode well for the result.

I appreciate the purpose and mission of Cowboy but the quality just isn't there. At least deceive us first with something that looks good. Up next, Sugarhouse.

ajiuO · #**2702** Posted **Mar 7, 2013, 3:40 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Orlando

I don't think this design would have been chosen if this had been a design competition for the revised program. Thomas Phifer won the initial design competition in the late 1990's, but the program was much different, and his design proposal was very elegant. It had a beautiful atrium between the old building and the new. IMO, it was by far the best design. Then, after 9/11 and funding and programmatic changes, the Borg cube came along. I believe this is because after so many years of jerking Thomas Phifer around, they felt obligated to keep him. With no jury and design competition this time, Thomas Phifer did what he does best, a simple squarish or rectangularish volume glassy building. I think some of his work borders on being so minimal that it's boring. But, I had such great hopes from his initial design. Maybe it will look shimmery and cool when all lit up at night. But, I kind of sympathize with the above post.

Borg cube pretty much sums that building up

Orlando · #**2703** Posted **Mar 7, 2013, 4:55 AM**

I still have hope...
http://www.thomasphifer.com/projects/united-states-federal-courthouse

ctobsl · #**2704** Posted **Mar 7, 2013, 6:27 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by delts145

Speaking of Pioneer Park, has anyone noticed activity at Broadway Park Lofts since the new owners purchase?

Delts,

I drove by the Broadway Park Lofts today on my way home from work.
They are installing windows.

ajiuO · #**2705** Posted **Mar 7, 2013, 6:57 AM**

^^^^^^^

I can't imagination that they should take to much to finish. I looked at some of the ones in the rear when they were auctioning them off... They were really industrial looking.... I liked them.. But nothing very complicated as far as finishing construction should be concerned

delts145 · #**2706** Posted **Mar 7, 2013, 1:12 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by ctobsl

Delts,

I drove by the Broadway Park Lofts today on my way home from work.
They are installing windows.

Good to hear Ctobsl. Finally, one of my favorite projects is going to be completed.

Regarding the Liberty at Gateway. Cowboy Partners has always been on my short list of least favorite developers. I hold my breath everytime they are announced as the developers. I've been saying this for a long time now. Liberty Gateway has a decent material treatment for the present. A brick base and (zooming the rendering) a HardiePlank top. It is a bit cutesy for that location, but I understand the attraction to that kind of warm and fuzzy. Generally, I like the materials, especially since it's not the dread stucco. My biggest gripe is that of its height in that particular location. More than anything else, that gives the project a very burb feel. Cowboy perpetually seems to be into the fast buck. I'm sure that in that particular location they could have done something more urban and impressive for the love of their city, but unfortunately their seeming greed gets in the way. More height, Craftsman details and a more urban style would not have penciled out as profitable I'm sure, and that is what Cowboy seems to be all about, how much more profit can we squeeze out of our latest breezethrough.

Twothirty8 · #**2707** Posted **Mar 7, 2013, 3:21 PM**

I'm firing Cowboy Partners from ever building another development. How hard is it to make rectangles look cool? I guess they just can't do it, and cheap is right.
Maybe we should all go leave a comment on their website telling them to throw in the towel.

UtahProjects · #**2708** Posted **Mar 7, 2013, 4:11 PM**

Cowboy Partners build quick, cheap apartment buildings. A common theme for Salt Lake. The city isn't quite at the point that developers are fighting over, and taking advantage of every parcel of land in the inner city like you're now seeing in places like Denver, Seattle, and Portland.

But there is more infill occurring now than anytime post-suburbs. The more infill, the less room for new developments, the higher the cost of land, and the more need for developers to build on a much larger scale to get their money back.

Future Mayor · #**2709** Posted **Mar 7, 2013, 4:23 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Orlando

I still have hope...
http://www.thomasphifer.com/projects/united-states-federal-courthouse

So you're saying we have to be drunk and seeing fuzzy for it to look good?

UTPlanner · #**2710** Posted **Mar 7, 2013, 4:31 PM**

Wow, so much negativity lately. I personally like the new federal courthouse including the newly added metal cladding. I also don't think the new apartments at the Gateway will turn out as bad as some have described. I looked at the submitted plans this morning and I don't think the small picture below accurately portrays the project. I also agree with Scottharding that I'm glad to see added density and development in that area. I do think that this building will be an improvement over the huge hole that has existed for the last few years.

On a different subject, just a little bit of insider information for everybody, but I have heard rumblings about a new development on the NW corner of 400 South and West Temple. I don't know a lot of information but it would include an office tower and retail and may have a residential component.

There is also a new 150 unit apartment building being proposed on 600 West and North Temple. I don't know a lot about it yet but I think it's a 6 story structure. They are preparing to submit plans very soon.

delts145 · #**2711** Posted **Mar 7, 2013, 4:40 PM**

Well, you can also add me to the list of those who like the Courthouse. I don't care that it's a simple box. I still think that the exterior popouts and vertical ribbing are very interesting, unique, attractive and a great addition to the CBD.

DCRes · #**2712** Posted **Mar 7, 2013, 4:47 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by UTPlanner

On a different subject, just a little bit of insider information for everybody, but I have heard rumblings about a new development on the NW corner of 400 South and West Temple. I don't know a lot of information but it would include an office tower and retail and may have a residential component.

That would be fantastic. Isn't that the corner with the Good Year Tire Shop on it? You haven't heard anything about how tall said tower might be have you? Keep us updated when information becomes available.

SLC Projects · #**2713** Posted **Mar 7, 2013, 4:50 PM**

So the NW corner of West Temple and 400 S. would be on the parking lot block am I right? If so this is great news to finally see something develop on that parking lot. Hope it's tall.

Orlando · #**2714** Posted **Mar 7, 2013, 5:14 PM**

No. It is on the block directly west of the new courthouse. There are some existing small buildings on that corner. an auto repair place, and Ruell's Art store, and a restaurant.

stayinginformed · #**2715** Posted **Mar 7, 2013, 5:26 PM**

What a difference a few months make. It looks like the google maps car had a few months between going on 600 West and North Temple.

Just A Thought · #**2716** Posted **Mar 7, 2013, 5:53 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by SLC Projects

So the NW corner of West Temple and 400 S. would be on the parking lot block am I right? If so this is great news to finally see something develop on that parking lot. Hope it's tall.

No, the parking lot you're thinking of is special, I believe its an ancient federally protected automobile burial ground. (SW corner of West Temple and 300 S) Never to be developed on, under any circumstances, same goes for the old disused strip of shops opposite it.

delts145 · #**2717** Posted **Mar 7, 2013, 6:14 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by UTPlanner

...On a different subject, just a little bit of insider information for everybody, but I have heard rumblings about a new development on the NW corner of 400 South and West Temple. I don't know a lot of information but it would include an office tower and retail and may have a residential component.

There is also a new 150 unit apartment building being proposed on 600 West and North Temple. I don't know a lot about it yet but I think it's a 6 story structure. They are preparing to submit plans very soon.

Seems like there's a lot of momentum gathering. Great to hear!

Any worthwhile info. update on the two new hotels going in around the ESA?

Future Mayor · #**2718** Posted **Mar 7, 2013, 6:43 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by UTPlanner

On a different subject, just a little bit of insider information for everybody, but I have heard rumblings about a new development on the NW corner of 400 South and West Temple. I don't know a lot of information but it would include an office tower and retail and may have a residential component.

This one really intrigues me, I would assume it would consist of all the buildings and parking between 400 S and Gracies. That would be a great corner for an office building, while 20+ would be the dream, I'd be happy to see a midrise between 10-15 on that corner, the courthouse is only a tall 10. I think this would be a great time for the city to break up the block a little bit, extend Market St halfway into that block and then connect it north to 300 S. The residential component could then be built on the SW corner of Market St and W. Temple.

Quote:

Originally Posted by UTPlanner

There is also a new 150 unit apartment building being proposed on 600 West and North Temple. I don't know a lot about it yet but I think it's a 6 story structure. They are preparing to submit plans very soon.

I am assuming this would be the NW corner of the intersection, the former Biomat building, but I would rather it be the SE Corner. Is there any more room on the NE corner, between the viaduct and the new senior housing?

While I like to hear that there is more residential being proposed in that area, Do we REALLY need to tear down every older building?

I would really like to see the former biomat building be reused, it has a great design to it and while not as tall, reminds me of the Shubrick (Port O' Call). I think that would be a great location for a restaurant or bar, and some additional small retail. This corner needs some sort of retail component to it, particularly with the new senior apartments, the new ones between Biomat and I-15 and being at the bottom of the viaduct Trax Station. The retail on the SW corner, in that apartment complex is being converted to apartments, so if the former biomat is torn down and replaced with all residential, there will be no retail, resulting in a not very walkable neighborhood, and nothing but new buildings, no variety older than 20 years.

stayinginformed · #**2719** Posted **Mar 7, 2013, 7:05 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Future Mayor

I am assuming this would be the NW corner of the intersection, the former Biomat building, but I would rather it be the SE Corner. Is there any more room on the NE corner, between the viaduct and the new senior housing?

While I like to hear that there is more residential being proposed in that area, Do we REALLY need to tear down every older building?

I would really like to see the former biomat building be reused, it has a great design to it and while not as tall, reminds me of the Shubrick (Port O' Call). I think that would be a great location for a restaurant or bar, and some additional small retail. This corner needs some sort of retail component to it, particularly with the new senior apartments, the new ones between Biomat and I-15 and being at the bottom of the viaduct Trax Station. The retail on the SW corner, in that apartment complex is being converted to apartments, so if the former biomat is torn down and replaced with all residential, there will be no retail, resulting in a not very walkable neighborhood, and nothing but new buildings, no variety older than 20 years.

It looks like the project is on the East side of 600 West just north of the curve in the railroad tracks. The address is 24 N 600 W.

On the old Biomat Building, I believe that Biomat tried to demolish it when they were planning on building their new building but they were not allowed to. I agree with you that the Biomat building should be reused. That building has a long history in the neighborhood--it is 100 years old this year, used to house a branch of the Salt Lake Library, and was a local market called Horsley's a long time ago.

In answer to your question about the area north of the viaduct, and south of the senior housing development, there is a large plot of land there that is owned by UTA, and will eventually be a TOD.

scottharding · #**2720** Posted **Mar 7, 2013, 7:09 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Orlando

No. It is on the block directly west of the new courthouse. There are some existing small buildings on that corner. an auto repair place, and Ruell's Art store, and a restaurant.

So I assume all those buildings and the land is owned by a single owner? What's that process, when those three business will be forced to relocate?
I like that art store and the restaurant. I've been to both a few times. I hope they will remain downtown. There's plenty of spaces they could go to.

Also, can anyone post a picture of the old Biomat building being discussed? I have no idea what it is.